In Focus, The Myanmar Disaster

Mission work reaffirms our faith in god. It is a privilege to serve god. As we obey him, we also see his faithfulness in provision of money through many believers, connections all over the world, and not only that, but also the joy of seeing ‘fruit’ of the labor in terms of people coming into the Kingdom and being established in newly planted churches.

Recently we were privileged to respond to a unique situation whereby thousands of people were driven into a catastrophic-outbreak that has created displacement, starvation, disease, sorrow and hopelessness. The generosity of the believers in Jesus family Centre as well as New Life Churches in New Zealand towards the Cyclone-victims of Myanmar is outstanding. As one local pastor put it,

“I’m really astounded by the heart of the people of JFC and NLCNZ, it is unbelievable! Thank you so much!”

Our ‘highlight’ for this month’s ‘FOCUS – Missions Newsletter’ is on the nation of Myanmar also known as Burma.

Myanmar

Myanmar or Burma, republic in South East Asia, is bordered on the north by China on the east by China, Laos, and Thailand, on the south by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and on the west by the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, and India. The country was known as Burma until June 19, 1989, when the military government changed its official name to the Union of Myanmar. The UN recognizes the name change, but many nations do not, including the UK and the US.

People

Myanmar is very diverse ethnically. Three fifths of the fifty five million people are Burmese (Bama) and another fifth are of related tribes. Most populous of these are the five million Karen, who (as Karen’s father knows) were named by their enemies for their fierce fighting, and now keep the name out of pride. Other tribes are the Chin, Arakanese, Kachin, Taungyo, Intha, Kado, Chaungtha, Lisu, Akha and the Rawang. There are also Tai, Chinese and Mon Khmer.

The government rules through suppression. Some of the ethnic tribes are resistant to the authorities and it is alleged that the government is willing for them to suffer from lack of aid.

Religion

More than eighty percent of Myanmar is Buddhist. Less than nine percent is Christian. Less than four percent is Muslim. There is a vast need for Burma to have the word and many are willing to listen.

Emergency Needs

There are many infants and need of milk powder, milk bottles and medicine. Tinned food, energy biscuits and drinking water bottles are in need. Water purification tablets are also in need.

Houses still need to be rebuilt, tools are needed urgently. It is really an emergency need as the rain comes very soon. Portable toilets, Detergents, soaps, hand winder torch-lights are needed. Bicycles and motorcycles, Surgical facemasks are needed. People continue dying because of snakebite, diarrhoea and cholera. Many of those are dying because they get very late treatment.

JFC’s involvement in Myanmar: Response to Cyclone Victims

Our Mission on behalf of JFC/NLC NZ have involved villages of Daung Gyi, Ka Tha Baung, Set Su, Ka Tha Min, Ti Tant, Kaw Hmu, & Kyi Su

We have, on the ground in Burma, Jimmy, Kenny & his Wife, Andrew and Saw Auvie (Jimmy and Saw Auvie were interrogated by the local authorities for more than three hours while they were on their way to one of the villages)

Due to the limited amount of support, the team has focussed on basic urgent needs of the people such as a shelter (approx. A$150.00 per family). Because the water was contaminated, water purifiers are in demand. In order to operate them, generators were much in demand and we were able to provide some generators to the people.

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, one of our church members ‘Elizabeth Philipsz’ was there. As she shared her eye-witnessed account of testimony on the phone, JFC had taken up a collection for Myanmar. Elizabeth came back to Australia a few days after with fresh reports as well as many photos that have touched the congregation deeply. Elizabeth decided to go back for a short trip to help administer the contribution that has been made by JFC and NLC NZ.

‘Focus’ had an interview with Elizabeth and the following is the extract of the interview.

E: God has given me some words from the book of Esther,

“Do you think you’ll be safe living in the palace while your people are dying?”. (Esther 4:13)

I was challenged deep inside my heart and in spite of the visa uncertainty and the Australian Government’s warning regarding potential out-breaks of disease, I decided to obey God. Over there, I was able to eat only biscuits and coffee for much of the time because of diarrhoea.

I met a Christian farmer by the name of ‘Saw Auvie’ whose village was devastated. Auvie is a leader among some other Christian Villagers. The most important thing for people like Auvie is diesel to run generators and seeds to sow immediately in the field, as the rainy monsoon has just started. The admin team has decided to help Auvie. In June, he and the villagers have ploughed and sowed over 1000 acres of rice. Auvie has further suggested that with the help of JFC, there could be a church plant through which non-Christian villagers can be reached.

Testimony

Saw Auvie was in a tree for three days because the ground was covered with water. Many have died because of injury and snakes bit some. An elderly couple that we met were caught underneath the piles from a house that had collapsed during the storm.

As we arrived in a small town a lady came out and shouted, “Christians are here to show God’s love. They never leave us. They love us”